Gaming device with interactive

ABSTRACT

Gaming devices with electroluminescent illumination displays wherein the state of the electroluminescent display changed in response to active input by a player and/or events occurring during the play of the game.

[0001] The present invention is directed to gaming devices and, moreparticularly to gaming devices comprising interactive electroluminescentlighting displays.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Gaming devices, known in the art, are typically illuminated,while they are being played, and sometimes in an “attract mode”. The“Attract mode” is typically a repetitive sequence which is designed toattract potential players and passers-by to play the gaming device.Providing flashing lights and sounds in response to different eventsoccurring during the play of a gaming device is also known.

[0003] Electroluminescent lamps have been utilized for different typesof lighting such as point-of-purchase advertising displays.Electroluminescent lamps are desirable as they provide a very attractiveform of lighting. Since previously known uses of electroluminescencehave typically been in an attract mode, it would be desirable to utilizethe desirable aspects of electroluminescent lights in a more interactiveform with gaming devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Various embodiments of the present invention provide gamingdevices with at least one electroluminescent display wherein theelectroluminescent display is changed in response to active input by aplayer and/or events occurring during the play of the game. For example,the electroluminescent lighting displays can be changed within the scopeof the present invention in response to the amount of a wager by aplayer, e.g. the placement of a maximum wager by a player, upon theoccurrence of a certain outcome on a primary, secondary and/orsubsequent random event, upon receiving certain input from a player, toindicate the status of features of a game such as the paylines on amultiple payline slot machine, highlighting a particular game even orgame payout, the activation of a secondary event, etc. As used herein,the word “changed” when used in reference to the state of anelectroluminescent display device indicates that the display isextinguished, illuminated, and/or the illumination is modified, forexample made brighter or dimmer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 illustrates an electroluminescent payline used with oneembodiment of the present invention.

[0006]FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 3 illustrates a status display of one embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0008]FIG. 4 illustrates a payout indicator of another embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The various embodiments of the present invention combine theattractive features of electroluminescent lighting devices with theinteractive excitement of gaming devices by providing gaming deviceswith interactive electroluminescent lighting which changes in responseto active input by a player and/or events occurring during the play ofthe game, i.e. during the play mode of a gaming device. As used herein,the term “play mode” is meant to distinguish the active play of a gamingdevice from an “attract mode” wherein a game may be on a preprogrammed,continuous and/or repetitive lighting, sound, or demo sequence prior tothe commencement of an actual game in order to attract players andpotential players.

[0010] According to various embodiments of the present invention,electroluminescent lighting is changed in response to active input by aplayer or in response to events occurring during the play of a game. Asused herein, the term “active input” is meant to indicate a consciousdecision by a player which is intended to or has the ability to affectthe outcome of game. “Active input”, as used herein, does not includethe initial decision of a player to simply play a particular game orgaming device, or the act of wagering the minimum wager required by thegame or gaming device to initiate play. For example, theelectroluminescent lighting displays can be changed within the scope ofthe present invention in response to the input of a player to holdcertain cards, the input of a player to affect other indicia of a gamesuch as selecting from available options, upon receiving certain otherinput from a player, the wagering of a predetermined amount such as amaximum wager or a wager above some predetermined amount by a player,the occurrence of a certain outcome on a primary, secondary orsubsequent random event, to indicate the status of features of a gamesuch as the active paylines on a multiple payline slot machine or inconjunction with other intermediate or final events occurring during theplay or at the end of a game.

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention,through from the present description, those skilled in the art willappreciate that alternative embodiments may be utilized withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a gaming device 100 with a primarygaming unit comprising a three-reel slot machine having primary display110, control buttons including BET MAX button 130, CHANGE button 132,CASH/CREDIT button 134, BET ONE button 136, SPIN button 138, and SPINTHE WHEEL button 140. In addition, a coin slot 114, currency validator118 and payout chute 120 are provided. Additionally a secondary eventdisplay 150 and a multiplier 160 are provided. While the illustratedgambling device is a very popular gambling device with a secondaryevent, the advantages of the present invention can be enjoyed withgambling devices of other forms, including those without secondaryevents.

[0012] In accordance with this illustrated embodiment,electroluminescent lighting displays are provided in a ring 170 aroundthe secondary event indicator, in a loop 182 around the left reel, aloop 184 around the center reel and a loop 186 around the right reel.These electroluminescent lighting displays are changed when thesecondary event is activated and/or when a predetermined symbol isdisplayed on one of the reel displays.

[0013] According to another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, different paylines are provided with differentelectroluminescent lighting displays. FIG. 2 illustrates a reel-typedisplay 200 with five paylines. A first electroluminescent lightingdisplay 205 illuminates a first payline in a first color, a secondelectroluminescent lighting display 210 illuminates a second payline ina second color, a third electroluminescent lighting display 215illuminates a third payline in a third color, a fourthelectroluminescent lighting display 220 illuminates a fourth payline ina fourth color, and a fifth electroluminescent lighting display 225illuminates a fifth payline in a fifth color. These different paylinesare illuminated in response to different images place by a player.Additionally, the WINNER PAID window 230 and CREDITS window 240 can alsobe provided with electroluminescent lighting display. According to onepreferred embodiment of the present invention, at least oneelectroluminescent lighting device is illuminated in order to indicatethe paylines which are active.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, one ormore electroluminescent lighting devices are illuminated andextinguished in sequence when a player obtains at least one of aplurality of outcomes on said gaming device. For example, if a playerattains a certain payout, then one, and preferably a plurality ofelectroluminescent devices are illuminated and extinguished in sequence.According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, thestate of the electroluminescent display device can be randomlycontrolled during the play of a gaming device. While this illustratedembodiment comprises five paylines with five different colors, theadvantages of this aspect of the present invention can be realized withtwo or more paylines.

[0015]FIG. 3 illustrates another use of the electroluminescent lightingdisplays on a status display useful with a gaming device. On theillustrated display a first status indicator 310 “INSTANT LANE BONUS” isilluminated when a lane bonus is available to a player.Electroluminescent lighting display 310 is then extinguished when aplayer qualifies for a second feature and a second electroluminescentlighting display 320 indicating “SPINNERS PAY $$$” is illuminated.Similarly, electroluminescent lighting displays for “MATCH SCORE BONUS”330, “SPIN THE WHEELS” 340 and “SPIN THE BONUS REEL” 350 areextinguished and illuminated sequentially. FIG. 4 illustrates anotheraspect of the present invention wherein a display indicator comprisespayout indicators 410 which are illuminated with an electroluminescentlighting display when the player wins a specific award.

1. A gaming device which is illuminated differently at different timesduring the play of the gaming device by a player comprising: at leastone electroluminescent lighting device comprising at least two states ofillumination, wherein the state of said electroluminescent lightingdevice is changed in response to active input by a player.
 2. A gamingdevice according to claim 1 wherein the state of said electroluminescentlighting device is changed in response to at least one event occurringduring the play of the gaming device.
 3. A gaming device according toclaim 1 wherein said active input comprises wagering an amount greaterthan the minimum amount required to play the gaming device.
 4. A gamingdevice according to claim 1 wherein said active input comprises wageringthe maximum wager by a player.
 5. A gaming device according to claim 1wherein said active input comprises player input to change, hold orselect a displayed symbol.
 6. A gaming device according to claim 1wherein said active input comprises wagering a portion of winningsduring the play mode of a game.
 7. A gaming device according to claim 1wherein said active input comprises the player depressing a button toselect at least one of a plurality of options.
 8. A gaming device whichis illuminated differently at different times during the play of thegaming device by a player comprising: at least one electroluminescentlighting device comprising at least two states of illumination, whereinthe state of said electroluminescent lighting device is changed inconjunction with at least one event occurring during the play mode ofthe game.
 9. A gaming device according to claim 8 wherein said eventcomprises the activation of a secondary event.
 10. A gaming deviceaccording to claim 8 wherein said event comprises a win on at least onepayline.
 11. A gaming device according to claim 8 wherein said eventcomprises receipt of a randomly determined outcome which qualifies theplayer for an award.
 12. A gaming device which is illuminateddifferently at different times during the play of the gaming device by aplayer comprising: at least one electroluminescent lighting devicecomprising at least two states of illumination, wherein saidelectroluminescent lighting device illuminates at least one payline. 13.A gaming device according to claim 12 wherein said electroluminescentlighting device illuminates a plurality of paylines.
 14. A gaming deviceaccording to claim 12 wherein said electroluminescent lighting deviceilluminates at least two different paylines with different colors.
 15. Agaming device according to claim 8 wherein said electroluminescentlighting device is illuminated in response to input from a player.
 16. Agaming device according to claim 8 wherein said event is randomlydetermined.
 17. A gaming device according to claim 1 further comprising:means for receiving a wager means for randomly determining at least oneof a plurality of possible outcomes, said determining means providing atleast one signal corresponding to the determined outcome, wherein saidelectroluminescent lighting device is operatively linked to saiddetermining means whereby said electroluminescent lighting device ischanged in response to said signal.
 18. A gaming device according toclaim 8 wherein said electroluminescent lighting device is linked to adisplay which comprises at least one reel display.
 19. A gaming deviceaccording to claim 8 wherein said electroluminescent lighting display islinked to a display which comprises at least three reels.
 20. A gamingdevice according to claim 8 wherein said electroluminescent lightingdisplay is linked to a display which comprises a video display.
 21. Agaming device according to claim 8 further comprising a secondary gamingunit comprising means for displaying a randomly selected second indiciafrom a plurality of possible secondary indicia.
 22. A gaming deviceaccording to claim 21 wherein said secondary gaming unit comprises awheel.
 23. A gaming device according to claim 1 further comprising asecondary gaming unit comprising means for displaying a randomlyselected second indicia from a plurality of possible secondary indicia.24. A gaming device according to claim 23 wherein said secondary unitcomprises a wheel.